By Gel Santos Relos
“Noynoying,” the parody of the alleged work ethic of Philippine President Noynoy Aquino has gone global. Wikipedia, Wall Street Journal carried the story, and so did France24 L’Actualite Internationale.
Wall Street Journal reported:
"Noynoying plays on the widespread perception that Mr. Aquino – who is widely known by the nickname Noynoy – might not be the most hands-on president to have led the Philippines.
Wikipedia defined Noynoying :
“An effortless pose, or activity consisting of sitting or standing around, in an unconcerned manner. It is also recognized as doing nothing, when in fact you have something to do.”
Critics of Aquino say that Noynoying going viral reflects a sentiment or perception of many Filipinos -- that Aquino is a “do-nothing” president.
President Aquino hit back and said this “noynoying” buzz is just a product of people who have nothing good to say.
“Hindi kailangang pansinin. Papaano mo ipapakita sa ayaw tumingin? Paano mo iparirinig sa ayaw makinig? Kung masaya silang ginagawa nila iyun, nasa kanila na iyon...Kapag sinasabing wala akong ginagawa, at pangit ang nangyayari, e di anong conclusion duon?...Basta gagawin ko ang palagay ko ay tama at palagay ko may resulta na nangyayari,” he said.
Readers from all over the world have passionate and different responses to this issue. Here are some of them:
"I am genuinely saddened at how quickly Noynoying became synonymous with lazy, tamad, not working, not doing anything, etc.. and I'm saddened by it because it's the perception of PNoy Aquino. Noynoying would never have caught on, if that isn't what most people already think." -- EsmeraldoC
"[The] Noynoying trend is just another demonstration of mob/crab mentality." -- Gene Guarin
"Crab mentality? I doubt [it]. Filipinos say a lot of things, especially [about] their president. People demand that the administration give something back or at the very least, people demand that those elected by them work their a**es off. Unless this president proves what many have been thinking all along, then, 40% of those who voted for him may distance themselves and finally see that they were mistaken." -- Rotogold
"I have always admired Pres. Noynoy's sharp mind and wit, but I wish that he still could have responded with honor, instead na namimilosopo siya. No matter how petty this Noynoying issue can be, he should respond to this, to ensure whatever is behind it is not allowed to fester. While he's dealing with bigger problems of the country, he should try to acknowledge even minor issues as well-- to prevent them from growing and festering. The only thing he's going to lose is the one he backs down from." -- Daisy Carlos
"Bago sya kutyain, tignan muna [ang] mga nagawa niya para sa bayan. Kesa kutyain sya, tulungan na lang, di naman sya superhero para mag-isa lang syang gumawa at umaksyon sa problema ng bansa. hirap kasi sa ating mga Pinoy, gusto lahat sinusubo na lang sa atin." -- Lani Guevarra
"Kayo ang humihila sa Pilipinas para maging katawa-tawa sa paningin ng ibang lahi. Yung hindi kuntento sa Pilipinas, pwede na siguro mag-migrate. Kahit sino pa maging presidente, ginagawan nila ng caricature: si Arroyo, si Erap, si Ramos. Sinong naging presidente ang kalugod-lugod sa inyo? Kayo ang problema nang bansa, mga fault finder. Kayo na lang kaya magpresidente?" -- Marina Peji
"If he can move the 188 congressmen to sign the impeachment resolution in just a few hours, they don't think they have an excuse in delaying other more important resolutions/bills. No more excuses. Just work, dear employee Noynoy." -- Ron
"They shouldn't do this to our President. I don't believe that Noynoy is not doing his job. There are things [that] must undergo [due] process." -- Collins Rubio Calipaya
"Those who are complaining, why don't you submit real alternatives to solve the country's problems?! It's as if you can magically find quick solutions to make the country better! PNoy is not the almighty, he is human and he has limits. We elected a president to lead us -- not to be a messiah! We also have to do our part. Kaso ang mga mamamayan, simpleng batas lang, di makasunod. Magtrabaho at magsikap din tayo to help the president hindi yung dakdak ng dakdak!" -- Deirdrou Didu T. Lopez
"The thing about it is that there are proposals and recommendations that are put forward, but Aquino is dismissing all of it. The bill regarding the scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law, Freedom of Information Act, 125 Across the Board Wage Hike, Tuition Hike Moratorium, are all in the back burner. These are bills that are aiming to resolve issues that affect the common people. If people who are Noynoying do not have any proposals, then label them as detractors. But this is not the case. Noynoy is 'Noynoying' on issues that are urgent." -- Yves
"The pull of gravity in this country is stronger than the people's abilty to fly, attitude-wise. We need to build our collective muscles of positivity and optimism to counter crab mentality. Too much negativity blinds one to the positive that's going on. [To name] some: 2 Moody upgrades, stock market, strong peso, repatriation of Pinoys from war, business organizations & foreign investors say corruption is much lower now. No action? We must expect higher, true. We must also be fair. Criticize when wrong, compliment when good." -- Jim Paredes
"Widespread perception of President Noynoying didn't come out of nowhere. Mr. Aquino promised sweeping reforms during the campaign and vowed to use full powers of presidency. Tinimbang ngunit kulang. [The] Yellow Army [is] only happy when social media heaps praises on President. When criticisms come, nagiging bugnutin sila. Problema sa atin, binababa natin ang pamantayan pag convenient sa Pangulong iniidolo. Gusto namin magdeliver ang Presidente ng pangakong reporma. Paalala sa kanya ang batikos at kritika." -- Tonyo Cruz
"Hindi and presidente ang problema, tayong mga Pilipino ang problema. Wala tayong disiplina sa sarili at respeto sa batas. What he's trying to do is to phase out corruption or at least, lessen corruption in the Philippines. I think that's a lot more than just giving fish to the fisherman. He's teaching us [how] to fish [instead] so we can catch our own fish and bring it to the table." -- Asop Sinned
"Lahat naman may masasabi, unang-una na bumabatikos ke PNoy ay yung mga hindi bumoto sa kanya! MALI lang talaga ang hinahanap nila sa pangulo to give justice sa hindi nila pagboto at bitter pa rin kasi talo ang manok nila! Ang presidente ay gaya rin natin na TAO, hindi sya perpekto, but one thing is for sure...HINDI SYA MAGNANAKAW AT KRIMINAL. Kelangan lang magtiwala tayo sa kanya dahil marami na tayong natipid sa pagkakaupo nya, milyones na sana ang nanakaw ng ibang partido sa tagal nya sa Malacanang ngayon! Tigilan na ang ugaling talangka, kahihiyan lang uli yan ng lahing kayumanggi. Kala nyo ba na si PNoy lang ang sinisiraan nyo? Paglabas natin ng bansa, kasali tayo sa kasiraan..gaya ng pagtiwala ng mga investors na magdadalawang isip sa pagnenegosyo sa atin. Mahalin natin ang ating bayan, iangat wag ILUBOG!" -- Dugong Pinay
Noynoying is not all about portraying a lazy leader, but discontentment coming from the people who mandated him to lead them in improving their lives. his "corruption fighter" image, and somehow gives people an assurance of improving their lives. A big FLOP, due to inconsistencies, as well as "MATUWID NA DAAN" that goes nowhere. We must fight corruption and I agree, but let's not forget running a country is not all about eliminating corruption as it is. As for the unfortunate poor Filipinos, wether you like it or not, your current status is also a product of laziness, thus, don't blame the Aquino administration or even the previous one for such misfortune. In the end, NOYNOYING is a picture of majority of Filipinos on how they face circumstances. As for PNOY, you still heve four more years to prove your worth. -- Michael Garcia